Collapsible table



Feb. 20, 1940. w v, 7 2,191,007

COLLAPS IBLE TABLE Filed May 20. 1939' V Zlwuemfom ussey Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,191,007 COLLAPSIBLETABLE williamil Busse y, G ireenville S. 0. Application May20, 1939, Serial No. 274,815

1 Claim. (01. 311-79) My invention relates to improvements in tables. An important object of the invention is to provide a collapsible table which is extremely strong and rigid when distended.

MA further object of the invention is to provide a table of the above-mentioned character formed in a table top unit and a supporting unit, which units are separable so that the supporting unit may be collapsed, and the two units arranged in a substantially flat relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the above-mentioned character so constructed that the table top unit and the supporting unit may be securely assembled Without the use of any attaching means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the above-mentioned character which is simple in construction, may be manufactured cheaply and in which the supporting unit serves to stiffen the table top unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line 22 of Figure 3, parts broken away,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the tab1e,.taken beneath the top,

Figure 4. is a transverse section taken on line l-4 of Figure 3, and,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the supporting structure, collapsed.

The table top unit is designated as a whole by the numeral 6, and includes a top I, which may be formed relatively thin for lightness and cheapness. This top may be formed of wood or any other suitable material. Secured to the lower surface of the top 1 near and spaced from its edges is a rectangular flange 8, formed of strips which are rigidly attached together and to the top 1. This flange serves to stiffen the top 1 near its marginal edge and to also serve as a socket for receiving therein the upper end of the supporting unit.

The supporting unit is designated as a whole by the numeral 9. This supporting unit 9 comprises a central longitudinal truss structure including upper and lower horizontal bars Ill and ll, rigidly connected by diagonal upwardly converging bars 12. The truss structure is rigid.

Arranged at the ends of the truss structure are legs including crossed inclined bars I3, which are rigidly connected at their points of crossing. Rigidly connected with the upper ends of each pair of inclined bars I3 is a horizontal bar It.

The legs have the truss structure arranged between them and the upper and lower bars l and II have hinges l arranged upon their sides and rigidly secured thereto, at their ends. These hinges are also rigidly secured to the upper bars I 4 and to the bars l3, at their points of crossing. By arranging, these hinges upon the sides of the bars in and II, when the legs are swung to the completely opened positions, the bars I4 and the crossing portions of the bars [3 abut against the ends of the bars In and II, thereby limiting the movement of the legs beyond a position at a right angle to the truss structure.

In use, the legs are first shifted to the opened position at a right angle to the truss structure 9, and the table top unit 6 is then positioned upon the top bars M, which enter the socket produced by the flange 8. The bars 14 are of a length to snugly fit within the flange 8 and to engage with the side strips of the flange, Figure 3. It is also preferred that the bars l4 substantially contact with the end strips of the flange 8, Figure 2. This securely holds the supporting structure versely of the top unit and also positively prevents the legs from swinging upon their hinges. However, if desired, the end strips of the flange 8 might be spaced from the bars l4. With the parts thus assembled, the transverse bars l4 reeniorce and stiffen the top I transversely, while the top bar It) reenforces and stiffens the top longitudinally. The supporting unit is rigid both longitudinally and transversely and imparts to the assembled table the maximum stiffness. When desired, the top unit is separated from the bars I l and the legs then folded over the truss structure 9, Figure 5. The supporting unit is then relatively flat and may be laid upon the top element, producing a structure which is flat for the purpose of shipment or the like.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention'herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention provided said changes are within the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

against movement both longitudinally and transranged at the ends of the truss structure, each.

leg comprising inclined bars which cross each other at points substantially equidistantly spaced from the opposite ends thereof and an upper horizontal bar, hinges arranged uponone side of the upper horizontal bar of the truss structure at the ends thereof and secured thereto and to the upper horizontal bars of the legs, hinges arranged,

upon the same side of the lower horizontal'ba'r of the truss structure near the ends thereof and secured thereto and to the crossed bars of th'e'legs adjacent to their crossing, the, lower horizontal bar of the rigid truss being vertically spaced from the lower ends of the crossed inclined bars of the legs to afford foot space, thearrangement being such that when the legs are shifted to the transverse open position at substantially a right angle to the truss structure they will then contact with the ends of the horizontal bars of the truss structure to limit their movement in that direction, the trussstructure and legs when the legs are in the open transverse position being adapted for insertion within thesocket produced'by the flange, the upper horizontal bar of the truss structure and the upper horizontal bars of the legs being in the same horizontal plane and engaging the toptosupport and stiffen it and the ends of the upper horizontal bars of the legs substantially contacting'w'ith the sides of the flanges.

' WILLIAM V. BUSSEY. 

